TransmissionProblem (I think it's the transmission anyway)
Hi there everyone,
I've got an 09 Matrix, purchased three months ago, and it was a huge mistake. The car shakes violently when decelerating (when the car is just about to stop) and I'm pretty sure it's because the transmission isn't gearing down quickly enough. It happens when it's hot out (25 degrees Celcius or more).
I've taken it to Toyota for this problem twice already. The first time the technician took the car for a drive, he told me that he could feel the problem right away and it needed to be corrected. When the vehicle was returned to me, they had put .3 litres of transmission fluid in and told me that I should try it out. I brought the car back when I felt it again (about a day later) and asked them to correct the defect. The car did not repeat the problem during their test drive, so the Assistant Service Manager told me that there was no problem. I couldn't be more frustrated. How dare he tell me there is no problem when his own staff told him just a couple days ago that there was. I think they should give me a rental until the defect is fixed, because I didn't pay $32,500.00 for a defective ride. Keep the product until it's fixed! I don't care if it didn't show a problem in the first hour you tested it... keep it until it does do it and then fix it!!! Don't tell me there is no problem because your technician felt the problem before we even got out of the parking lot during the first test drive!
Scarborough Toyota does not seem interested in fixing my problem. I bought Toyota because of their reputation... trumped up is what I think of it now. If anyone is shopping for a car, stay away from Toyota. They treated me like an overly picky customer when I've got a genuine problem, that they've already agreed exists.
The problem is ongoing and scared my girlfriend when she borrowed my car today. She thought the ABS had gone nuts. Does anyone know what the problem is so I can tell the people at Toyota what to fix?
Hi, there is at least 2 or 3 similar posts I've seen recently for the automatic downshifting problem in the new Corolla and Matrix. I think one guy over on matrixowners.com username I think is imEric - actually had his transmission replaced by the dealer. The first thing I think they should try is to reset the ECU or whatever it is the Computer that learns how you drive etc and I think that worked in some cases. If your dealer continues to deny a problem I would look into the Lemon Laws in your area and claim it as a lemon.
Try this thread - they're calling it a Downshifting Flare problem....
Thanks for the reply. I took it in to Toyota again today and spoke with the Service Manager directly. He has called in some Toyota mechanics from Toyota Canada to come in and diagnose this problem. Hopefully this will help, but I'll fill them in with your ideas too JDhog. I'll keep my progress posted.
tell them to give you another car if they can't/won't fix it you have the technician that worked on it to back you up on the problem right? plus they should have your file on the computer with a history of your visits and what you were there for.
I got my tranny replaced 2 months ago and the problem has disappeared since then. Anyway, if I were you, I would call Toyota Canada and file a complaint...They will possibly offer you a loaner car when your car is @ the dealer for service.
Well Toyota Canada has decided not to send their mechanics after all. Instead, I am supposed to go pick up the dealer's Service Manager for a test drive when it's doing it really bad next time... Toyota sucks. If the dealer's technician has already felt the problem, then the problem can be described by one of their staff.
I'm going to see if I can get a rental and just leave my car with the dealership.
I also have the issue, but only when the A/C is on, and hard braking.
I just got rid of a 95 GTI with manual trans that I tended to drive sporty, so I'm used to having a little more control over the trans than with the 09 Matrix (my first auto trans). You know when you brake hard how you let off the brake just an instant before it grabs to avoid a jerky stop? With a manual you've already pushed the clutch in so the trans is out of the equation.
What's happening to me is that when hard braking rpms haven't had a chance to drop down and when you release the brake to avoid the jerk, it engages the trans, and now that the wheels are basically stopped the cpu thinks it's time to be in first gear, but the rpms are still up and the car lurches with a big kick in the butt. The first time it happened I thought I was just rear ended it's so violent. When I have the A/C on the car seems to idle around 1500rpm as opposed to around 1000rpm when off, so that may be why it's only happening with A/C?
I figured it was just a driving behaviour issue that I'd have to adapt to with auto trans. So now if I have the A/C on and I know I'm going to brake hard I just bump the stick into neutral, or just not drive like that with A/C on.
Try it. Turn on your A/C, do a quick stop and flare the brake. See if it happens to you. When my A/C is off I don't have the issue.
Post details here if you can duplicate the situation.
PS - just as a disclaimer - plz try this in an empty parking lot, not in traffic! If you have no experience driving 'sporty' don't try this because a very rapid decell is required. I take no responsability for your driving so use common sense.
that sucks 09'Matrix acting up already....and i usually go to the Scarbz dealer aswell not sure why refuse to fix it if they know the problem...i truly recommend to trade it in for a new Trix....
It happened to my 09 corolla, when I'm trying to stop the car shakes. Took it to the dealer at Markville, they told me the transmission was busted. Only drove 60kms, wtf. Filed a complaint to the general manager to have the car replaced and they did.
Well following more than a couple frustrating visits, calls and emails to Toyota, I've finally gotten some results. Toyota Canada referred my issue to Toyota Japan and they came up with a new program for my car's computer. I can now downshift without the violent jump so I finally feel like I'm driving a new car!
I'll post again if there are any more problems with the downshift, but I've got my fingers crossed. If anyone else has had a problem with their Matrix i recommend you have them flash your car's computer too. Apparently this affliction only affects the 2.4 ltr engines/transmissions and only if they were amongst the first few produced early in 2008.
I have the automatic transmission with the tiptronic function. I tried tiptronic once or twice during the first few months I owned the vehicle, but rarely ever use it (only in winter when driving down a snowy hill).
When decerllerating, I just leave the transmission in drive and let the brake pedal and car do all the work. I pay attention to traffic and ease off on the gas long before I stop. I'm a pretty conservative driver, which is why my issue was so frustrating when I was going through it.
BTW-the transmission still feels good. Not one problem since my last post.
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TransmissionProblem (I think it's the transmission anyway)
you have the technician that worked on it to back you up on the problem right? plus they should have your file on the computer with a history of your visits and what you were there for.
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